Apparatus for forming shoes of the prewelted type



July 4, 1939. -r. H. ERLINE El AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHOES OF THE PREWELTED TYPE Filed June 20, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l MOI "Ma July 4, 1939.

T. H. ERLINEI ET AL APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHOES OF THE PREWELTED TYPE Filed June 20, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Cuba/w y 1939. T. H. ERLINE Er AL 2 164 989 APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHOES OF THE PREWELTED TYPE Fild June 20, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet s Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Tobias H. Erline, Frank U. Ditzler, and Harold B. Koch, Lititz, Pa.

Application June 20,1938, Serial No. 214,822

9 Claims.

This invention pertains to the manufacture of shoes, and more particularly to a novel apparatus for forming shoes of the prewelted type.

The manufacture of prewelted shoes, or those in which the welt is sewed to the upper prior to the assembling of the upper, insole and outsole has heretofore necessitated a large number of operations. In recent years machines have been proposed or used for the manufacture of this type of shoe wherein the number of operations has been materially reduced, and while such machines in some instances were capable of completely forming the shoes prior to the final roughrounding and stitching operations, still they failed to provide proper form-fitting shoes which require convexing of the sole portions thereof.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a single machine for effectively drawing in the upper over the last and the insole, and for shaping the upper thereto, and for firmly holding the upper and welt in proper and fixed position during the securing of the outsole in place, whereby a properly formed prewelted shoe can be quickly and economically made.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine for use in the manufacture of prewelted shoes, including angularly movable wipers which are shaped to conform to the configurations of the sole portion of the completed shoe and which include portions engageable between the welt and upper of the shoes which are externally convex in form whereby a well-formed prewelted shoe having an outwardly convex sole portion can be quickly and economically completed except for the subsequent sewing of the outsole to the welt.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of the above noted character including cooperating means for supporting the various parts of a prewelted shoe for the expeditious lasting, forming, and leveling in a single operation and with a resulting properly shaped shoe having a properly formed foot-fitting sole portion.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a machine for use in the manufacture of prewelted shoes including adjustable lastsupporting means, heel, side, and toe wipers, and manually operable means for actuating the wipers toward and from the last-supporting means, whereby a prewelted shoe supported by a last on the last-supporting means will be properly engaged and supported by the wipers for accurate assembly of the outsole, and including means for imparting outward convexity to the outsole in the leveling operation.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a machine of the above noted character which is relatively simple in construction, highly 5: eflicient in operation, and which can be manufactured, sold, and maintained in operative condition at relatively low cost.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the machine in accordance with the perfected embodiment thereof, one of the wipers being omitted for clearness of illustration of underlying parts.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of one of the combined toe and side wipers as seen in the direction indicated by the arrow 2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is atop plan view of the machine with the wipers in closed or shoe-engaging position.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view in a plane generally indicated by the line 4,. 4 in Fig, 3, some of the parts in advance of such plane being shown in elevation.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view in a plane substantially as represented by the line 5, 5 in Fig. 3, with parts in advance of such plane being shown in elevation.

Referring now to the drawings by reference characters and wherein like characters indicate like parts in the various figures of the drawings, the letter F designates a frame for supporting the improved wipers and actuating means therefor as well as the last-supporting means. The frame F, while capable of being constructed in various ways, preferably comprises vertical corner upright members l0, upper longitudinal and transverse bars I l and l2, respectively, and lower longitudinal and transverse bars l3 and I4, respectively, the upright members and bars preferably being unitary and constituting a single casting.

Suitably secured to the lower transverse bars l4 and centrally of the longitudinal bars I3 is a plate IS inwhich are threaded laterally spaced bolts Hi. The bolts I6 extend through longitudinal slots H in the base l8- of a standard 19. 50 The standard I9 is longitudinally adjustable through the provision of the cooperating bolts l6 and slots I1, and to effect such adjustment upon releasing the bolts the standard I9 is threadedly engaged by a threaded rod 20 rotatab-ly journaled 5m in a bracket 2| and maintained against longitudinal movement relative to the bracket by means of collars 22 disposed on opposite sides thereof. The forward end of the rod 20 is provided by any suitable form of manipulating means which, as shown, comprises a bar 23 extending through the rod and projecting substantially on opposite sides thereof.

The standard I9 is provided with a bore in the upper end thereof which is engaged by a screw 24 having a last-supporting spindle 25 on the upper end thereof. The screw 24 is threadedly engaged with a hand wheel 26 resting upon the upper end of standard l9 and which upon manual turning thereof effects rotation of screw 24 with the consequent rising or falling of the spindle 25.

Thus it will be seen that the last-supporting spindle 25 is capable of adjustment both longitudinally and vertically of the machine for proper presentation of a shoe to the wipers hereinafter described.

Secured upon the upper end of the frame F by means of bolts 21 and at each side thereof is a plate 28. Each plate 28 is provided with cam slots and which, as is more clearly indicated in Fig. 1, embodies slots 29 and 30 beneath each heel and side wiper, later described, and similar but oppositely disposed cam slots 29 and 30' beneath each toe and side wiper, also later described.

The wipers-which are four in number, including oppositely disposed combined heel and side wipers 3| and oppositely disposed combined toe and side wipers 32are each secured to a plate 33 by means of a bolt 34, the head of which preferably engages a washer plate 35.

Each plate 33, with the respective wiper secured thereto, is guided for movement to and from the last-supporting means through the instrumentality of the respective cooperating slots 29 and 30 and means carried by the plates, about to be described. Each of the wipers 3| and 32 adjacent its outer corner, as viewed in Fig. 3, is provided with an aperture 36 which loosely receives the head 31 of a bolt, comprising a reduced shank 38 extending through an aperture 39 in the outer end of the plate 33, through the respective slot 29 or 29' and terminating in a reduced extension 40. The shank 38 supports a roller 4| for guidance within the respective slot 29 or 29' and which is mounted within the slot by means of a block 42 engaging the reduced extension 40 and mounted thereon by means of a bolt 43 and cooperating washer 44.

The opposite or inner ends of the bars 33 are each provided with a stud 45 force-fitting an aperture therein, and which stud is engaged by a roller 46 within the respective slot 30 or 30'. The upper ends of the studs 45 project loosely through the respective wipers and the rollers 46 are maintained within the cam slots by means of plates 41 secured against the inner ends of the studs 45 by screw bolts 48.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the wipers 3| and 32 are connected with the plates 28 by cooperating cam slots and rollers and the slots are so formed that pressure longitudinally of the frame in a direction outward of the transverse center thereof results in movement of the wipers from the operative position indicated in Fig. 3 to the inoperative position indicated in Fig. 1, in which latter figure the wipers are positioned for introduction or removal of the shoe supporting last.

Movement of the wipers 3| and 32 from operative to inoperative position and vice versa is effected by means of links 50 whose outer ends are adjustably connected with the blocks 42 and whose inner ends are connected to the outer arms of bell crank levers 5| rotatably journaled on studs 52 which are secured in lugs 53 supported by the frame F.

As will be seen from Figs. 4 and 5 the wipers 3| and 32 at one side of the machine are operated through levers 5| supported on a single stud 52, while the wipers on the opposite side of the machine are actuated by levers 5| supported by a single stud 52.

The inner levers 5| are connected to the respective heel and side wipers, while the outer levers 5| are connected to the respective toe and side wipers, and means are provided for actuating the inner levers 5| simultaneously and separate means are provided for actuating the outer levers simultaneously but independently of the inner levers, whereby the heel and side wipers will be moved in unison and the toe and side wipers will also be moved in unison but independently of the movement of the heel and side wipers.

The means for rocking the levers 5| preferably comprises a U-shaped member 54 connected with the lower arms of the inner levers and a similar U-shaped member 54 connected with the lower arms of the outer levers, and each U-shaped member 54' is connected by a rod 55 to a suitable treadle or similar actuating means (not shown).

As indicated in Fig. 5, the frame F 1s supported when in use in an elevated position most suitable to an operator and which may be done by any suitable structure as generally indicated at 56 in Fig. 5, and wherein the rods 55 depend from the frame F to any suitable position for connection with a treadle or other manual operating means (not shown).

The wipers 3| and 32 are in the form of relatively thin plates, and each is provided adjacent the last-supporting means with an outwardly convexed flange, as indicated at 3| and 32 in Fig. 3, and which flanges are adapted to extend between the upper U and welt W, as indicated in Fig. 4, with the insole I supported on the last L intermediate the flanges 3| and 32*, whereby the upper and welt are given an outwardly convex form for application of the outsole O, indicated by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 4, to the welt and insole, with the resulting convexity of the outer curved formation to the outsole.

In the use of the improved machines the insole I is placed upon the upper or sole portion of the last L and may be temporarily secured thereto by a tack in the heel and toe portions, the latter of which is represented at T in Fig. 3. A shoe upper with a welt stitched along the sole margin thereof is then placed over the last with the combined edges of the upper and welt adjacent the insole I, as indicated in Fig. 4. The last L is preferably supported by a spindle 58 on one of the plates 28 during the application of the insole and combined shoe upper and welt thereto, after which the last with the shoe supported thereon is transferred to the last-supporting spindle 25 which is properly adjusted by the means hereinbefore described in order that the flanges 3| and 32 on the respective wipers 3| and 32 will properly engage between the welt and upper. The proper adjustment of the spindle may be ascertained by temporarily moving the wipers toward the shoe.

After the shoe is properly adjusted on the spindle 25 the operator presses down on the treadle operatively associated with the U-shaped 75 .member 54 for, simultaneously moving the combined heel and side Wipers'3l into engagement with the upper and welt, after which the other treadle common to. the U-shaped -member .54 is actuated for moving the combined toe and side wipers 32 into engagement with the upper and welt whereupon additional pressure is placed upon both treadles'for drawing the flanges 3F and 32 into firm engagement with and between the upper U -and welt W, as indicated in Fig. 4. It'is, of course, to be "understood that the upper and welt are me moist condition during this operation and thus readily assume the contour of the last as well as conform to the flanges 3| and 32 With the shoe in this position an outsole O coated with a quick-drying cement is brought into engagement with the insole I and welt W, which also are preferably coated with a cement. The outsole having been thus placed in position, it is pounded with a hand tool for properly shaping and causing conformation thereof with the outwardly convexed welt, as indicated in Fig. 4.

The shoe thus constructed is disengaged from the wipers by means of suitable springs engaged with the treadles after having released the foot pressure therefrom, and is properly formed with the desired outwardly convexed sole and is ready for the final operation of rough-rounding, stitching, etc.

Thus it will be seen that the improved machine in accordance with this invention is adapted to the proper and complete forming of prewelted shoes without the necessity of any operations intermediate the lasting and stitching, and that in the single operation performed on this machine the shoe is completed in proper foot-fitting form and is ready for stitching of the outsole to the welt.

It is, of course, to be understood that the wipers 3| and 32 will be formed in various sizes with the flanges 3| and 32 thereof shaped to properly conform with the seam line between the welt and upper of the respective various sizes of completed prewelted shoes.

It is to be particularly noted that it is not necessary to draw the upper over the last by tools such as heretofore employed for this purpose, and while it may in some instances be desirable to use a pilot wire to draw the toe of the shoe into conformity with the last, still the operation can be carried out in the absence thereof, it being necessary only to temporarily position the welt for proper entrance of the flanges 3| and 32 as the wipers approach the shoe in order that such flanges will engage between the upper and welt as indicated in Fig. 4.

While we have disclosed but a single specific embodiment, such is to be considered as illustrative only and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined in the subjoined claims.

What we claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for use in the manufacture of prewelted shoes comprising a plurality of movably mounted wiper plates, each of said plates comprising means for engagement between the welt and upper of a shoe forming an outwardly convexed leveling support for the welt upon application of the outsole to the shoe.

2. A machine for use in the manufacture of prewelted shoes comprising a frame, a last-support adjustably mounted on the frame, a plurality of wiper plates supported by the frame, and means carried by the frame for manually moving said plates toward and away from the. last-support, each of said platesbeingprovidedwith an outwardly convex flange on an edge thereof ad- -heel'and side wiper p'late'and combined toe and side wiper plate movably supported by each of the plates, a pair of bell crank levers pivotally supported by the frame below each of said plates, link connections between said levers and said plates, and means connecting the levers which are connected with the combined heel and side wiper plates and the levers which are connected with the combined toe and side wiper plates for independent movement of the combined heel and side wiper plates and combined toe and side wiper plates.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 wherein said first plates are provided with cam slots and said wiper plates are provided with rollers disposed within said slots, and said link connections including means supported in axial alinement with certain of said rollers.

5; The structure defined in claim 3 wherein each of said wiper plates includes an outwardly convex flange for engagement between the upper and welt of a shoe supported on a last and forming a support for the welt for application of an outsole to the welt with the margin of the outsole conforming to the shape of the convexly supported welt.

6. In a machine for the manufacture of prewelted shoes comprising a frame, a last-support adjustably mounted on the frame for supporting a last having an upper with the attached welt and insole supported thereby, a plurality of wiper plates movably supported by the frame, said plates comprising body portions disposed substantially below the insole and welt of a shoe supported by the last, and flanges directed toward the last and convexed outwardly for engagement between the upper and welt upon movement of the plates toward the last, said flanges forming a convexed support for the welt in the leveling operation.

7. A machine for use in the manufacture of prewelted shoes comprising a plurality of movably mounted wiper plates, each of said plates comprising a plane body portion and an outwardly convexed flange on an edge thereof, the outwardly convexed flanges of the plurality of plates in the operative position thereof providing an endless flange for circumscribing a last-supported shoe upper and engaging between the upper and. a welt and providing an outwardly convex support therefor.

8. A machine for use in the manufacture of prewelted shoes comprising a frame, a plate supported by the top of the frame adjacent each side thereof, a plate supported by the frame adjacent the bottom thereof centrally of the first-named plates, a standard supported by the last named plate, means providing for adjustment of the standard longitudinally of the last-named plate, a last-supporting spindle vertically adjustable in the standard, a combined heel and side wiper plate and combined toe and side wiper plate movably supported by each of the first-named plates, each of said wiper plates having a margin for engagement between the upper and welt of a rollers carried by each of said wiper plates, cam slots in said first plates for individual engagement by said rollers, and means for moving said wiper plates toward and from said last through co-operative engagement of said rollers and cam slots, certain of said cam slots providing for greater separation of the adjacent ends of the wiper plates than the opposite ends in the retracted position thereof.

TOBIAS H. ERLINE.

FRANK U. DITZLER.

HAROLD B. KOCH. 

